Anyone with military ID will be admitted free to Thundering Herd's basketball game with Rice; special activities planned

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University will observe Military Appreciation Night when the Thundering Herd men's basketball team plays host to Rice Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Cam Henderson Center. Game time is 7 p.m.

Frank Giardina, associate director of athletics for external affairs, said anyone with a military ID can receive a complimentary ticket to the game by showing his or her ID at the ticket window.

"Our state, region and area are very proud of their military contributions to this country," Giardina said. "For example, the National Guard here in West Virginia has a reputation for always being ready and willing to serve as do the units in southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky. This also is a chance to say thank you to troops that have recently served in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Numerous special guests are expected to attend and be introduced, including Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, West Virginia's adjutant general, and recently retired Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, who was named West Virginian of the Year by the Gazette-Mail. Hoyer took over for Tackett as adjutant general when Tackett retired.

Military Appreciation Night is planned in conjunction with a visit to Marshall by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps from Washington, D.C. The Corps is part of the United States Army Third Infantry and has the distinction of being the official escort to the President. It will perform at halftime of the basketball game.

Three Marshall alumnae serve in the Corps. Among these, Jennifer Raczok Bailey, class of 1996, serves as a fifer with the Corps and will perform with the group during its visit to Huntington. Other Marshall alums in the Corps are Lutricia Tampa Fields, class of 1997, and Deanna Bertsche, class of 2001.

The Corps will visit Marshall's Department of Music Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 15-16. It will perform during the department's Music Convocation at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Smith Recital Hall. The general public is welcome to attend.